Latest Resources
18 July 2017
GM Cotton push in Swaziland: Next target for failed Bt cotton
This paper examines the application of the Bt cotton field trials currently underway in Swaziland. This is situated within the broader wave of GM application and trials across the continent, along with the weakening of national biosafety regulations, as part of the GM push across Africa. This paper is based on research on the Swaziland […]
25 May 2017
South Africa and 2,4 D stacked GM maize: biosafety, socio-economic risks
In 2015–2016 Dow AgroSciences Southern Africa (Pty) Ltd performed field trials on maize tolerant to 2,4-D (event DAS-87078-9) and stacked varieties carrying not only 2,4-D tolerance, but also glyphosate tolerance and/or Bt insectidal toxins. The trials are on going in 2017. The trials follow the approval for import for food, feed and processing in 2012, […]
28 November 2016
Biosafety aspects of genome-editing techniques
Biosafety TWN Briefing – Biosafety aspects of genome-editing techniques. You can download the paper here.
30 June 2015
What next after a ban on glyphosate – more toxic chemicals and GM crops?
This briefing calls for a ban on glyphosate and that other toxic herbicides, such as 2,4-D and dicamba must similarly also come under urgent review and that adequate measures must be put in place to ensure that more toxic chemicals do not replace glyphosate.
23 July 2014
Peddling for Profits: Pioneer Hi-Bred’s redundant rootworm-resistant GM maize coming soon t...
In this briefing, we show how SA’s biosafety regulatory system favours profits over sound biosafety practise as the regulators have authorised field trials of a GM maize variety to combat a pest, the corn root worm that does not exist in SA at all and will not, for 100 years!! Read here.
20 May 2014
GM Contamination, Cartels and Collusion in South Africa’s Bread Industry
This briefing paper exposes the high levels of GM soya in South Africa’s popular white bread brands and reveals how just four companies – Tiger Brands, Pioneer Foods, Premier Foods and Foodcorp control the Wheat-to-Bread value chain. This value chain feeds into another concentrated retail food market controlled by Shoprite/Checkers, Pick n Pay, Woolworths and […]
5 November 2013
GM Maize: lessons for Africa – Cartels collusion and control of South Africa’s staple...
This is a briefing about power and control in our food system, focusing chiefly on South Africa’s staple food, maize. It shows how a select group of companies, including Tiger Brands, Pioneer and Premier Foods commandeer the entire maize value chain and continue to squeeze the poorest South Africans. These corporate giants are now glancing […]
15 October 2012
Setting the record straight on the Seralini GM maize rat study: why the SA government must urgent...
In this briefing we respond to the main criticisms of the Seralini GM maize rat study (which have been appearing ad nauseum in the world’s mainstream media); provide some background as to the importance of the NK603 GM maize to the biotechnology industry (and hence the scale of their reaction); and place the attacks on […]
1 August 2012
How Much Glyphosate is on your dinner plate? SA’s food safety compromised by lack of testing
This briefing paper forms part of a series of briefing papers on glyphosate to be released later this year by the African Centre for Biosafety (ACB). In this paper, we focus principally on food safety issues, highlighting our grave concerns about the utter regulatory failure concerning particularly, the monitoring, inspection and testing of food for […]
15 May 2012
Hazardous Harvest: Genetically Modified Crops in South Africa: 2008-2012
In this publication, we provide a comprehensive update of the situation with GMOs in SA. Since our last South African update on genetically modified crops, and the transnational companies that control the technology published in 2008, GMOs have become even more entrenched in the country’s agricultural landscape. Over three-quarters of South Africa’s maize is now […]